-5 penalty to cast any spell in the illusion school without it being noticed. If he is successfully using Stealth at the time, he remains hidden. If Aubrey is in plain sight then he remains visible, but his spellcasting goes unnoticed.

Wall of Darkness (Su) As a standard action, Aubrey can

coalesce a 10-foot square wall of darkness within 30 feet. This barrier lasts for 1 round and obscures vision, providing concealment in both directions. Though it does not physically obstruct or impede anything attempting to move through it, a creature passing through the wall must succeed on a Will save (DC 12+ Aubrey’s Charisma modifier) or become dazed for the remainder of its turn. Although the wall continues to obscure vision, once a creature has been dazed it remains immune to this effect for one day. Aubrey can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3+ his Charisma modifier.

Shadow Mask (Sp) Aubrey can draw the shadows around

himself to conceal his presence. When he activates this power he gains a +3 enhancement bonus to Stealth checks. He may use the shadow mask up to 4 minutes per day. These minutes do not need to be consecutive, but they must be spent in 1-minute increments.

Haunted (Ex) Malevolent spirits follow Aubrey wherever he

goes, causing minor mishaps and strange occurrences (such as unexpected breezes, small objects moving on their own, and faint noises). Retrieving any stored item from his gear requires a move action, unless it would normally take longer.

Sidestep Secret (Su) Aubrey’s innate understanding of the

universe has granted him preternatural reflexes and the uncanny ability to step out of danger at the very last second. He adds his Charisma modifier (instead of his Dexterity modifier) to his Armor Class and all Reflex saving throws.

Combined Spells (Su) Aubrey can cast spells from one of

his base classes using the available slots from the other base class. Spells cast in this way take up a slot one level higher than they originally occupied. This ability cannot be used to cast a spell at a lower level if that spell exists on both spell lists. As a 11th level mystic theurge, Aubrey can prepare maximum 6th-level spells from one of his spellcasting classes using the 7th-level slots of the other spellcasting class. The components of these spells do not change, but they otherwise follow the rules for the spellcasting class used to cast the spell.

Spell Synthesis (Su) Aubrey can cast two spells, one from

each of his spellcasting classes, using one action. Both of the spells must have the same casting time. He can make any decisions concerning the spells independently. Any target affected by both of the spells takes a –2 penalty on saves made against each spell. Aubrey receives a +2 bonus on caster level checks made to overcome spell resistance with these two spells. He may use this ability once per day.

Having begun life as a common gnome, Aubrey has since undergone a chrysalis at the behest of Desna, Queen of the Faerie Court of Dreams. The metamorphosis has transfigured him into a spryte; a fey being known alternatively as a lyrakien to theologians and as a glistenwing in children’s tales.

Being an otherworldly being, the air surrounding Aubrey is forever stirring with glamour as shadows shift unnaturally, light refracts weirdly and disembodied murmurings echo from the fey realm. Amidst such strangeness the spryte’s own form is no less protean as, often, his eyes and hair seem to burn while his flesh alternatively swirls like water, stirs like diaphanous mist or hardens into living stone. In addition Aubrey can, as is convenient, appear to be as small as a starling or as large as his old gnomish self.

Regardless of his apparent size or composition, Aubrey is alluringly androgynous with autumnal coloration, sharply pointed ears and spiraling umber facial tattoos. Moving as if unfettered by the physical laws of the world, the spryte gracefully flits through the air on diaphanous lime-green wings reminiscent of a luna moth’s. He usually sports a finely tailored dark-red overcoat and robes; the outfit being topped off by a matching stocking cap of prodigious length. Although he appears to travel light, with no armor, weapons or pack in evidence, Aubrey is known to draw all manner of useful things out of his uncanny hat as needed.

Height 1’ 4”; Weight 11 lb.

Bio:

The Sanos forest is an unspoiled sylvan realm known to be home to Varisia’s mysterious faerie court. Shrouded in mist and fey glamour, the few trails that cross through its heart are rumored to shift on occasion; leading unwelcomed explorers astray. Only those who know how to read the subtle arrangement of trees, mushroom rings and standing stones can hope to find the faeries’ hidden glens. Even the canniest druid or elf who somehow managed to stumble upon their settlements would likely pass it by unawares since they aren’t easily seen for what they are. The fey make their homes, called sifra, inside the hollow boles of trees and in gilded halls, called raths, beneath small hills. The restless gnomes further confound outsiders by picking up and moving from glen to glen as the seasons change.

Even so, most gnomes are desperate for excitement and choose to live nomadic lives on the open road; endlessly following the ley lines that crisscross Golarion in search of adventure. Their kin and kith maintain these enclaves in the Sanos forest and elsewhere so that gnomes might have safe places to congregate. The open road often proves too dangerous for young children, and so it’s common for gnomish parents to leave their offspring to be raised in such places while they continue traveling. Dotted upon by their fey kin, gnome fosterlings learn woodland lore, the art of weaving glamour and are tutored in the ways of the outside world before they’re old enough to head out on their own. Early forays outside the forest begin with short visits to the nearby mortal communities of Nybor and Wartle to the southwest and Turtleback Ferry in the northeast.

Such was Aubrey’s early life. Entrusted by his parents to the care of a lyrakien piper named Novi, the young gnome grew up amongst his kith in the sylvan settlement of Simplerose. Although life in Novi’s sifra might have seemed sheltered to some, the steady stream of wayfarers returning from distant realms served to enthrall and educate the young gnome. On occasion, when the stars aligned and the winds turned, some of Aubrey’s kin followed the faerie paths back to Simplerose to visit their young relative and to share news. Thus did Aubrey come to meet his family: his mother Islwynn; a winsome dancer with a summertime complexion, his father Fáelán; a gifted troubadour of vernal colouration, and an older sister named Eilir; an oddly bookish scholar of earthy hues. The young gnome’s favorite visitor however was his maternal grandfather Gwydion; a gifted harrower with rich autumnal colouration and a humour much like Aubrey’s own.

Aubrey’s Oath of Fealty

I swear fealty and obedience unto you and pledge you my council should you need it. I swear to fulfill the will of the Court of Dreams, to provide succor and friendship to its courtiers, to defend it when necessary and to pursue its enemies wherever they may lie. May my service always please, and may I be undone if it does not. As the tides to the moon, my will to yours, my queen.

As he grew, Aubrey began sojourning occasionally in the towns bordering the forest. It was during such a stay in Nybor that the young gnome made the acquaintance of Treana and, later, her childhood friend Elshbeth. They were curious about gnomish life in the forest and he was growing ever more interested in life beyond the boundaries of his sylvan home. They made a point of meeting again over the following few years. Then, late in the summer of 4707, word reached Simplerose that Gwydion’s sobriquet had been spotted on a communal grave marker in the town of Sandpoint. Upset, Aubrey quietly said his goodbyes, donned his heirloom stocking cap and flew westward out of the Sanos forest to discover his dear grandfather’s fate.